In the early morning hours of October 16, 2015, the life of 28-year-old Jessica Rae Shadowens was tragically cut short in a violent encounter within a home in the Portland neighborhood of Louisville, Kentucky. Responding to a call around 6 a.m., police discovered a grim scene at a residence on 28th and Northwestern Parkway. Shadowens and another individual, 55-year-old August Dichiara Jr., were found deceased, both having suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
A third person was also wounded in the attack but survived.
Jessica, who was staying at the home at the time, was a beloved mother, daughter, and sister. Her friends and family remember her as a person who loved people and never met a stranger. She worked as a waitress and was known for her larger-than-life smile and her ability to connect with her customers. Above all, she was a devoted mother to her daughter.
The investigation into the double homicide was launched immediately, with the Louisville Metro Police Department treating it as a senseless act of violence. In the days and years that followed, details about the case would emerge, painting a picture of a brutal and swift attack. A year after the incident, the lone survivor of the shooting came forward, stating that he knew the identity of the person who pulled the trigger. He described waking up to the sound of gunshots and witnessing the horrific events unfold. Despite the survivor's claims and what police described as 'fairly good leads,' the case proved difficult to solve.
As time passed, Jessica's family and friends continued to seek justice. On the two-year anniversary of her death, they held a vigil to honor her memory and to keep the unsolved case in the public eye. Despite their pleas and the ongoing police investigation, no arrests have been publicly announced in connection with the murders of Jessica Rae Shadowens and August Dichiara Jr. The case remains a painful and unresolved chapter for their loved ones and the Louisville community.
